When I first started blogging back in April, one of my first posts was about theme decorating and the pitfalls that can happen when you over indulge (like, ahem, I did!). These are pics of our weekend home which, obviously, is a log cabin. The style is quite different from our primary home, so it was natural to want to do something that highlights the differences, but after a few years of looking at deer heads, stuffed mooses and ceramic bears, I had enough and wanted to lighten and brighten the space up a bit.
BEFORE
I kept the sofa and chairs, but almost everything else was either updated, changed completely or in the case of ‘Buck’, our resident singing deer, moved to ‘Fisherman’s’ man cave. I moved the brown leather chair to the opposite corner to create a better conversation area, replaced the rug, cocktail table, lamp shade, quilt above the fireplace and stagecoach valences (which was a tough decision because they were time consuming to make!). I also put a crackle finish on the floor lamp using ASCP in Old White with black wax.
This part of the room (on the right wall) is not visible in the before/after pics, but I wanted to show it to you since I think the difference is pretty significant. The art work was done easily and inexpensively, and you can see how it was done here. These pictures were taken after I changed the lamp shade but before I painted the table portion of the lamp.
Although it’s a subtle change, I stained the fireplace using concrete stain to give it a cleaner, more substantial feel. For the windows, I made some sheers to soften the space and add a much needed feminine touch. The artwork above the fireplace was achieved quite inexpensively. Check this post out to find out how we did it. I replaced the cocktail table with a large, rustic piece of wood I got at a tag sale for $5.00! (I added galvanized pipes for the legs.) The paddles were sprayed silver and the rustic accessories on the mantel were replaced with simple white twigs that came with teeny white lights that make for a lovely nighttime display. The autumn decorations on the mantel were just placed there this past labor day weekend.
AFTER
I’m not completely done with the space yet (of course!). The rocking chair that you can see in the previous picture will be going back to that same spot. When this picture was taken during Labor Day weekend, it was in my craft room, waiting to get ready for its ‘close up”. Right now, I’m still deciding what to do with it. I’m open to suggestions. 🙂
This picture was just taken this past weekend and as you can see I’ve added a couple of pillows and some fall decorations on the cocktail table. I’m really liking how it’s coming together.
Partying At
Mop It Up Mondays
Craftomaniac
Shabby Creek Cottage
Cynthia Hankin says
Love the coffee table. the texture and the mix of “old” and “new”. Love the three vases art work as well.
I think leaving classic log cabin and trying something new must be one of the most difficult changes in interior decorating.
Wonderful.
cynthia keeley says
I love it! What a difference a few simple changes made. I smiled when I saw your twig lights on the mantel, as I did the same thing on mine!
Now I wanna see what’s on the other side of the wall behind the couch, and a view facing the couch….:P
The Honeys says
Thank you my two ‘Cynthia’ friends :). Directly behind that wall behind the sofa is a staircase that leads to the basement. To the left of that is a dining area with a round table and four chairs (you’ll see a peak at that in an upcoming tablescape post) and a piano that we turned into a bar (I did a post on that under ‘diy…so so to so fab). I’m thinking of painting the piano too! It’s true what they say about ASCP…it’s addicting!
It is somewhat difficult to change things up a bit and still remain true to the architecture of the space. For example, I sewed the sheers with a ruffle on top, but it looked to frou-frou so I just tucked it under and no one is the wiser :).